Join us February 12 and 13 for Vax the East: Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park

Editor's Note: February 14, 2022 - Thank you to everyone who attended Vax The East this weekend at the Ontario Science Centre and Thorncliffe Park Community Hub. Together, our teams vaccinated 1,766 people, including 514 kids aged 5-11 and 132 people who received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose!Michael Garron Hospital (MGH) and East Toronto Health Partners (ETHP), the Ontario Health Team (OHT) serving East Toronto, are partnering with the City of Toronto, Ontario Science Centre and other Team Toronto partners to host Vax The East from February 12 to 21, which will bring COVID-19 vaccines close to home for residents in the east end of Toronto.

The hyperlocal vaccination opportunities are aimed at vaccinating residents in Flemingdon Park, Thorncliffe Park and across Scarborough. To kick off the multi-day event, MGH and ETHP will be operating two family-friendly vaccine clinics in East Toronto’s Thorncliffe Park (Thorncliffe Park Community Hub) and Flemingdon Park (Ontario Science Centre) on February 12 and 13.

The goal is to increase vaccine uptake among eligible individuals in Toronto, particularly those in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park, who need their first, second or third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Clinic details

When: 

• Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13
• 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Where:

• Thorncliffe Park Community Hub (45 Overlea Blvd., Toronto, ON M4H 1C2) 
  • Located on the east end of East York Town Centre. Enter the mall through Entrance 6 and take the escalator or elevator to the second floor. Free parking is available at East York Town Centre.
• Ontario Science Centre (770 Don Mills Rd., Toronto, ON M3C 1T3)
  • Use the School Groups entrance at the south end of the building. Free parking is available in the South Lot via Gateway Boulevard.

Vaccine:

• Pfizer and Moderna are available.

Eligibility

• First and second dose eligibility: Open to individuals aged 5 and older. Individuals must be at least 5 years old at the time of vaccination.
• Children aged 5 to 11 can get their second dose 21 days after the first dose with informed consent from their parent/guardian. The 21-day interval is the period that was used during the Pfizer vaccine’s clinical trials for children. It is safe and effective and provides your child protection against COVID-19.
• If you would like your child to receive their second dose after 21 days, please call the provincial booking line at 1-833-943-3900 or MGH COVID-19 vaccine booking office at 437-537-5131. You cannot book a second dose appointment on the provincial booking system online for a child aged 5-11 using the 21-day interval.

• Third dose eligibility: Open to individuals aged 18 and older. Individuals must be at least 18 years old at the time of vaccination. Select individuals aged 12 to 17 may also be eligible.

Reminder: You do not need a health card to get a vaccine. You can bring an ID or document with your name, like a driver's license, passport, utility bill, pay stub, student ID or report card. Even if you do not have these documents, we encourage you to attend one of these clinics. Our team will do their best to help get you vaccinated. Physicians and nurses will be onsite to answer your questions about the vaccine.

How to book 

• Walk-ins are encouraged and accepted at both clinics during operating hours.
• Book an appointment online using the provincial booking system at
  covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine 
  • If you live in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park, please enter your home postal code on the provincial booking system to see Thorncliffe Park Community Hub or Ontario Science Centre as clinic options. If you do not live in Thorncliffe Park or Flemingdon Park, please try entering "M4H 1C2" and "M3C 1T3" if you do not initially see Thorncliffe Park Community Hub or Ontario Science Centre as clinic options.
• Book an appointment by phone by calling the provincial booking system at 1-833-943-3900 and requesting an appointment at Thorncliffe Park Community Hub or Ontario Science Centre. You can also call the MGH COVID-19 vaccine booking office at 437-537-5131.

Clinic Accessibility

• Accommodations: Staff are able to support accommodations as necessary. Clients who need a care provider or service animal with them will be accommodated. There are also privacy rooms available upon request. If you require an accommodation, alert a staff member upon arrival or at any time while at the clinic.
• Accessibility: We are committed to creating accessible clinics for everyone receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. We ensure each clinic can provide accommodations for those who need assistance during their visit, including seniors, individuals with mobility impairments and special needs, and people with young children. Accommodations may include:
  • Separate clinic entrance;
  • Expedited line;
  • Elevator access; and/or
  • A sit-and-stay vaccination experience.
• Washrooms: There are washrooms available at both clinics.
• Language: Community ambassadors, clinic staff and volunteers speak many different languages and may be able to support communication needs for those who need interpretation.
• Dress for the weather: Please dress appropriately for the weather as line-ups typically take place outside. Due to workforce capacity, there are a limited number of vaccinators at each of our clinics. We kindly ask for your patience as our team works as quickly as possible to vaccinate eligible individuals in a safe manner.

Activities and giveaways

• The Thorncliffe Park Community Hub clinic will have a kid-approved balloon artist and a fun glitter tattoo application for kids, while the Ontario Science Centre will showcase kid-friendly, do-it-yourself science videos for families. There will also be support dogs from Lions Foundation of Canada.
• Children aged 5 to 11 will also take home a “certificate of bravery” for getting their first or second dose.
• Individuals who get vaccinated at these clinics will also have the chance to win gas gift cards, N95 masks, disinfectant wipes, Ontario Science Centre-themed giveaways, Dentonia Golf Course passes and a limited number of passes to the Ontario Science Centre and the Aga Khan Museum for use at a later date.

Transit

The TTC will be providing two bus routes to ensure residents in Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park and Taylor-Massey have easy and convenient access to these clinics.

• Cost: Free
• Frequency: The TTC buses will run every 30 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on February 12 and 13.
• Destination signs on TTC buses: The TTC buses will have destination signs on their buses so residents will be able to clearly recognize the buses headed to the Ontario Science Centre and Thorncliffe Park Hub clinics.
  • Route 1 (Thorncliffe Park/Flemingdon Park) will have destination signs that read “Vax the East: Thorncliffe Park & Flemingdon Park”.
  • Route 2 (Taylor-Massey) will have destination signs that read “Vax the East: Taylor-Massey”.
• Stops: A-frame signage will be available to indicate each designated stop.